Case flap opening machine



April 26, 1966 D, Mc|NTYRE CASE FLAP OPENING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1963April 26, 1966 n. MCINTYRE CASE `FLAP OPENING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 4, 1963 April 26, 1966 D. MCINTYRE CASE FLAP OPENING MACHINEFiled June 4, 1963 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 m W R W, m A 6 M Q 5 im W @TT mUnited States Patent() 3,247,646 CASE FLAP OPENING MACHINE DanielMcIntyre, Portland, Conn., assignor to Emhart Corporation, Bloomfield,Conn. Filed June 4, 1963, Ser. No. 285,303 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-382) Thisinvention relates to a case opening machine and, more particularly, to amachine for opening the four top llaps of a case that may be empty orthat may have containers in it which are to be removed and iilled. Themachine of this invention serves a purpose similar to the two-1iapmachine of Patent 3,081,589.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a machine that willoperate in a substantially foolproof manner and at high speed to openthe top flaps of a succession of paperboard cases of the type havingfour flaps, i.e., side ilaps that are folded inwardly to closed positionover inwardly folded end aps at the top of the case.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a machine whichincludes a conveyor for moving the cases endwise and preferably inspaced apart relationship and to provide means supported along theconveyor to open the side flaps and the rear end Hap of each casepassing therealong and to also provide a reciprocating carriage over theconveyor to move along a port-ion of the conveyor with each passing caseand to open the front iiap of each such case. Thus, there is provided inaccordance with this invention a machine for opening the top aps ofcases being moved along a conveyor that will not require the cases to bestopped for the purpose of opening the aps thereof.

lt is a further feature of the present invention to provide airfoilmeans for initially raising all of the case iiaps from their closedposition. More specifically, airfoilshaped plates are supported alongthe conveyor so as to be adjacent to the side flaps of passing cases,and means are provided for directing an air stream across these platesto create a low pressure area rtherebelow that will cause the side ilapsto rise. A similar plate is arranged for similar operation with respectto the rear end flap, and a generally similar airfoil plate is carriedon the` aforementioned carriage to initiallywraise the front end flap.Independent means are provided to engage and spread each flap outwardlyafter it has risen.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and suchembodiment will be describeLbut it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the construction disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as dening or limitingthe scope of the invention, 'the claims forming a part of thisspeciiication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of a case flap opening machineconstructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of the top portion of the machine with partsremoved to prevent obscurity and showing one phase of the flap openingoperation;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG, 2 showing a further phase Vof flapopening;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken near the right-hand end ofFIGS. 2 and 3 and looking toward the left so as to provide an end viewof the side flap opening elements with parts removed to avoid obscurity;

FlG. 5 is a top plan view taken near the right-hand end of the machinein FIG. 1 with some parts removed; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view4 of the airfoil structure used to raise therear end flap of each passing case.

As shown in FIG. l, the machine of this invention com- 3,247,646Patented Apr. 26, 1966 ICC prises a frame structure indicated generallyby the reference number 10 that supports a longitudinally extendingplate 12 over which the cases C, C are moved to have their flaps opened.The case conveyor comprises an endless chain 14 that extendslongitudinally along each side of the plate 12. A series of spaced apartilight bars 16, 16 are connected between the chains 14, 14 to engage therear end of the series of cases C, C which are thus moved over the plate12 in equally spaced apart endwise movement. The conveyor chains 14, 14are: entrained over end sprockets 18, 18 mounted on suitable shafts, thefront sprocket shaft being driven by means bf a chain and sprocketconnection indicated generally at 2l) with a speed reducing unit 22 thatis connected with the drive motor 24 for the machine. A feed conveyor 26introduces the closed cases to the machine so that they can be movedalong in succession by the conveyor that has -been described.

It will also be seen in FIG. l that the upper portion of the frame 10supports a carriage indicated generally by the reference number 28 overthe case conveyor. This carriage is reciprocated in timedrelationshipwith movement of the conveyor so that it will move alongwith each case C passing through the machine over a portion of thelongitudinal extent of the conveyor. The means for reciprocating thecarriage 28 in timed relationship with movement of the conveyor chains14, 14 comprises` a series of chain and sprocket units 30, 32, 34, and36 which serve to connect the drive motor 24 with a pair oflongitudinally extending endless chains 38, 318 which are entrained oversprockets suitably supported in a iixed position over the conveyor inthe upper part of the frame structure 10. The endless chains 38, 38 arealso shown in FIG. 5, and it will be observed that connecting rods 40,40 extend between these chains and suitable connections on therespective longitudinal side plates 42, 42 of the carriage 28. Thus, as.the endless chains 38, 38 move about their end sprockets, the carriage-28 is reciprocated. `Such movement of the carriage is accommodated bymeans of pulley-like rollers 44, 44 on each side plate 42 of thecarriage, the' rollers 44, 44 being arranged to ride on a pair oflongitudinally extending rods 46, 46 which are supported by the framestructure 10.

` a series of cams, suchl as the cam 52 thereon. These cams engage valveactuators, such as the actuator 54, to operate a series of valves withina housing 56, and these valves control the ilow of air streams at aplurality of airfoil units that raise lthe case aps as will be describedhereinafter.

As viewed in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the cases C, C move from rightto left and as each case enters the right-hand end of the machine itsflaps are closed. The side aps of each case are opened first as the casepasses along the conveyor by a pair of airfoil units 58, 58 which arevertically and pivotally adjustably mounted on rods 6I), 60 dependingfrom the upper part of the frame structure 10.

The airfoil units 58, 58 each includes an airfoil-shaped plate 62 thatis supported at an angular position and in spaced relationship over theclosed side ilaps of a case passing therealong. Each such unit alsoincludes a jet 64 connectible as by a hose (not shown) through valvingin the housing 56 with a source of air under pressure. The jet 64directs a stream of air across the underside of the associated plate 62so as to create a low pressure area therebelow that will cause a sideHap to rise as a case moves past.

As will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the raised side flaps of each casepassing along the conveyor will be engaged by a plow 66 at about thetime they lose association with the airfoil units 58, 58. The plow 66serves to spread the side flaps outwardly and to hold them in anelevated position as shown in FIG. 4 until they can be engaged byadditional plow means 68 (FIGS. 2 and 3) beneath the reciprocatingcarriage 28. A rudder-shaped plate 70 is adjustably supported by theframe in a vertical llongitudinal plane to hold each case down as itsside flaps are being spread by the plow 66.

As each case C passes below the plow 66, its rear end flap passes' belowan airfoil unit 72 which is shown in enlarged scale at FIG. 6. Theairfoil unit 72 is rigidly supported in adjustable positions by theframe and, like the airfoil units 58, 58, it includes an airfoil-shapedplate 74 and a jet 76. The jet 76 is connectible as by a hose 78 througha valve in the housing 56 to a source of pressurized air, and the jet isarranged to direct an air stream across the bottom side of the plate 74as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6. This air stream creates a lowpressure area below the plate 74, causing the rear end ap of eachpassing case to rise. It will be understood, of course, that the valvingcontrolling ow to the various airfoil units is not continuously open.That is, the cams on the cam shaft 50 are arranged to open these valvesin timed relationship to movement of the cases so that air flows and theairfoils are eective only when a case is in position with respect to thevarious airfoils to be operated upon.

After a rear end ap on a passing case has been caused to rise slightly,its leading edge is engaged by the weighted or hooked end 80 of a rod 82(FIGS. 1-3) that is suspended from the upper portion of the frame 10 inthe path of movement of the cases. This rod is pivotally connected tothe frame and spring biased toward the right as viewed in FIGS. 1-3 sothat its end 80 will be sure to engage the edge of a raised rear caseflap. Then, as a case continues to pass along the conveyor, the rod willraise and spread outwardly the rear flap.

As shown in FIG. 1, at about the same time that the rear ap is beingraised by the airfoil unit 72, the front flap of a passing case israised by an airfoil unit 84 on one end 86 of a crescent-shaped lmember88 that is rotatably supported on the carriage 28. The crescent-shapedmember 88 is oscillated, as will be described, so that its airfoil unit84 on said one end will initially raise the front end ap of a passingcase and so that its other end 90 which is hook-shaped will then engagethe underside of the front ap and spread it outwardly. This occurs asthe carriage 28 moves along a portion of the conveyor with each passingcase. Like the other airfoil units, the unit 84 is connected withsuitable control valving and has a plate 92 and a jet 94. Theoscillation and operation of the crescent-shaped member 88 with respectto the front llap will be understood by comparing FIGS. 1 to 3.

A parti-circular or half disc-shaped member 96 is also rotatablysupported on the carriage 28 for the purpose of holding the front andrear flaps in an outwardly spread condition until the associated caseleaves operational association with the carriage. As shown in FIGS. l-3,the disc 96 is rotated so that its convex edge will engage and roll overthe front and rear case flaps holding them in an outwardly spreadposition during movement of the carriage 28 in a left-hand direction. Abracket 95, having a rearwardly extending blade 97, is mounted on thecarriage 28 to help retain the spread condition of the rear llap of'eachcase moving with the carriage. Then, as the carriage starts to movetoward the right, a rudder shaped blade 98 on its left-hand end passesover the spread front and rear flaps of the case with which the carriagewas just associated to retain the aps in spread condition until theypass under a rigidly axed plow 100 which continues to maintain thespread condition of the flaps as each passing case moves out of theleft-hand end 4 o the machine toward a case packing machine or the li e.

The drive for the crescent-shaped member 88 and for the parti-circularmember 96 comprises the chain and sprocket units 102, 104, and 106 whichconnect the drive motor 24 with a shaft to which the parti-circularmember 96 is connected for rotation. The said parti-circular member 96rotates throughout 360 in timed relationship to movement of the casesthrough the machine, and it is connected to the crescent-shaped member88 by a crank arm 108 that causes the crescent-shaped member tooscillate as the parti-circular member rotates. This oscillation is, ofcourse, in timed relationship throughout to movement of the casesthrough the machine so that the front flap of each case passing throughthe machine will be 4opened as described. Further, the air stream forthe front ilap raising airfoil unit 84 is controlled by the previouslymentioned valving to be operable in timed relationship to case movement.

In a brief summary of the operation of the case flap opening machinethat has been described, it can be said that a driven conveyor isprovided for moving the cases in spaced apart end-to-end relationshipthrough the machine. Airfoil means 58, 58 are supported along theconveyor to raise and spread the side ilaps of each passing case inassociation with the plow 66. Then, the passing case moves beneath theairfoil unit 72 which raises the rear end flap which is spread onupwardly and outwardly by the arm 82. Then, the carriage 28 which issupported over the conveyor to move along a portion of the conveyor witheach passing case takes over the flap opening operation by means of itsoscillatable crescent-shaped member 88. One end of the crescent-shapedmember serves to raise the front llap of an associated case and theother end serves to spread it outwardly. Then, the parti-circular member96 takes over the operation by having its convex edge engage the spreadfront and rear flaps to retain them in such position until the caseleaves association with the carriage. Means are provided in the path ofmovement of the cases to retain the spread condition of all of the apsas the cases move on toward a case packing machine or the like.

The invention claimed is:

1. A machine for opening cases having end flaps that are folded inwardlyat the top thereof, said machine comprising a driven conveyor for movingthe cases endwise, means supported along the conveyor to raise andspread the rear end ap of each passing case, a carriage supported oversaid conveyor, means for reciprocating said carriage so that it travelsalong a portion of the conveyor with each case, a generallycrescent-shaped member rotatably supported on the carriage on an axistransverse to the conveyor, a parti-circular member rotatably supportedon the carriage on an axis transverse to the conveyor, means for movingsaid members in timed relationship to carriage movement so that an endofthe crescent-shaped member will spread the front end flap of each caseand so that the convex edge of the particircular member will then holdboth end flaps in spread condition, and means supported along theconveyor for retaining the flaps of each case spread after associationwith said carriage.

2. A machine for opening cases having end flaps that are folded inwardlyat -the top thereof, said machines comprising a driven conveyor formoving the cases in spaced apart end-to-end relationship, meanssupported along the conveyor to raise and spread the rear end flap ofeach passing case, a carriage supported over said conveyor, means forreciprocating said carriage so that it travels along a portion of theconveyor with each case, a generally crescent-shaped member supported onsaid carriage with its ends facing downwardly and for oscillation on anaxis transverse to the conveyor, a parti-circular member supported onsaid carriage for rotation on an axis transverse to the conveyor, meansfor respectively oscillating and rotating said members in timedrelationship to carriage movement so that one end of the crescentshapedmember will raise the front end ap `of each case and the other end willengage and spread it, and so that the convex edge of the parti-circularmember will then hold both end flaps in spread condition, and meanssupported along the conveyor for retaining the flaps of each case spreadafter association with said carriage.

3. A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim 2 wherein anairfoil shaped plate is supported on said one end of the crescent-shapedmember, and means are provided to direct an air stream across the plateto create a low pressure area below the plate to cause the front endflap of each associated case to rise.

A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim 2 wherein the meansfor raising and spreading the rear end flap of each case comprises anairfoil shaped plate supported over the conveyor, means for'directing anair stream across the plate to create a low pressure area therehelowthat will `cause each rear flap to rise, and means suspended over theconveyor to engage and spread each risen flap as the cases pass.

5. A machine for opening cases as set forth in cla-im 4 wherein anairfoil shaped plate is supported on said one end of the crescent-shapedmember, and means are provided to direct an air stream across lthe plateto create a low pressure area therebelow to cause the front end flap ofeach associated case to rise.

6. A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim 5 wherein means isprovided to control both of said air streams for operation thereof intimed relationship to carriage reciprocation.

7 A machine for opening cases having side aps closed over end aps at`the top thereof, said machine comprising a driven lconveyor for movingthe cases in spaced apart end-to-end relationship, means supported alongthe conveyor to raise and spread the side flaps of each passing case,means supported along the conveyor to raise and spread the rear end flapof each passing case, a carriage supported over said conveyor, means forreciprocating said carriage so that it travels along a portion of theconveyor with each case, a generally crescent-shaped member supported onsaid carriage with its ends facing downwardly and for oscillation on anaxis transverse to the conveyor, a parti-circular member supported onsaid carriage for rotation on an axis transverse to the conveyor, meansfor respectively oscillating and rotating said members in timedrelationship to carriage movement so that one end of the crescent-shapedmember will raise the front end flap of each case and the other end willengage and spread it, and `so that the convex edge of the parti-circularmember will then hold both end flaps in spread condition, and means forretaining all of the said flaps of each case spread after associationwith said carriage.

8. A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim 7 wherein anairfoil shaped plate is supported on said one end of the crescent-shapedmember, and means are provided to direct an air stream across the plateto create a low pressure area below the plate to cause the front endflap of each associated case to' rise.

9. A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim 7 wherein the meansfor raising and spreading the rear end flap of each case comprises anairfoil shaped plate supported over the conveyor, means for directing anair stream across the plate to create a low pressure area therebelowthat will cause each rear flap to rise land means suspended over theconveyor to engage and spread each risen ap as the cases pass.

lil. A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim 9 wherein anairfoil shaped plate is supported on said one end of the crescent-shapedmember, and means are provided to direct an air stream across the plateto create a low pressure area therebelow to cause the front end flap ofeach associated case to rise.

11. A machine for opening cases as set forth in claim il@ wherein meansis provided to control both of said air Stroms for operation thereof intimed relationship to carriage reciprocation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS TRAVIS S.MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

1. A MACHINE FOR OPENING CASES HAVING END FLAPS THAT ARE FOLDED INWARDLY AT THE TOP THEREOF, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING A DRIVEN CONVEYOR FOR MOVING THE CASES ENDWISE, MEANS SUPPORTED ALONG THE CONVEYOR TO RAISE AND SPREAD THE REAR END FLAP OF EACH PASSING CASE, A CARRIAGE SUPPORTED OVER SAID CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID CARRIAGE SO THAT IT TRAVELS ALONG A PORTION OF THE CONVEYOR WITH EACH CASE, A GENERALLY CRESCENT-SHAPED MEMBER ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON THE CARRIAGE ON AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE CONVEYOR, A PARTI-CIRCULAR MEMBER ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON THE CARRIAGE ON AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MEMBERS IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP TO CARRIAGE MOVEMENT SO THAT AN END OF THE CRESCENT-SHAPED MEMBER WILL SPREAD THE FRONT END FLAP OF EACH CASE AND SO THAT THE CONVEX EDGE OF THE PARTICIRCULAR MEMBER WILL THEN HOLD BOTH END FLAPS IN SPREAD CONDITION, AND MEANS SUPPORTED ALONG THE CONVEYOR FOR RETAINING THE FLAPS OF EACH CASE SPREAD AFTER ASSOCIATION WITH SAID CARRIAGE. 